The Exies’ latest album Head for the Door shows the band’s real organic sound as its last album, Inertia was more about experimenting.

Head for the Door has lots of hard rock with sing-a-long lyrics that keep the listener intrigued.

Loud rhythm and beats balance well with the somewhat softer singing. They do not compete with each other to a point where the listener does not know which aspect is more important.

Most of the group’s songs speak about dark subjects that are depressing.

But the group’s subject matters are important and fans are able to relate to them in some way.

Even though the lyrics express depressing and sinister feelings, the lines are still catchy, which makes for paradoxical music.

“Slow Drain” talks about a person wasting away.

Someone else just watches him from afar and doesn’t bother to help. There are exciting electric guitar riffs in this song that add to its liveliness despite the depressing subject.

“Splinter” is a metaphor about someone who got under someone else’s skin. “What You Deserve” is about dealing with pain and self-imposed guilt.

“Baptize Me” is about redemption by religion to achieve acceptance. The verses are slow and soft but the chorus breaks out with loud guitar and drums.

“F.S.O.S.” or False Sense of Security speaks of a paranoid person. The song is loud and choppy with the lyrics, drum beats and this style almost makes the listener feel paranoid.

“My Opinion” has the singer talk to someone he hates and wants out of his life. This song is similar to “Splinter” and “Ugly.”

“Dear Enemy” has catchy lines but not a fun theme.

“Tired of you” leans more towards alternative rock and even pop music. This song shows the group’s sensitive side and that despite hatred, someone can still feel love for a person.

The singer says that he is tired of everything: running, searching, breathing, but he is “not tired of you.”

“Normal” goes back to the hard reality of loathing and is accompanied by harsher sounds.

This person is trying to be accepted by someone that doesn’t like them as they are. The vocalist even says, “So why don’t I just start to hate myself.”

“Don’t Push the River” searches for a meaning in life. It is another hard song that is filled with metaphors relating to rushing water.

The Exies have a style that is their own because this is what feels right to them, but at the same time the group’s sound is similar to other bands.

The themes evoke images that remain in the listener’s mind and even haunt.